Phonograph reproducer and recorder.



Patented July 30, l90l.

c. w. NOYES. I PHONOGRAPH REPRODUCER AND RECORDER.

(Application filed Mar. 21, 1901.)

(No Model.)

UNrnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES IV. NOYES, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ILSEN &COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PHONOGRAPH REPRODUCER AND RECORDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 679,467, dated July 30,1901.

' Application filed March 21, 1901. Serial No. 52,128. (No model.)

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. NoYEs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Oincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in PhonographReproducers and Recorders, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to improve the tone and quality of aphonographic reproducer or recorder and to do away with the metallicsound as far as possible.

I have produced a mechanism adapted to compensate for the differentphysical attributes and characteristics of different diaphragms. Glassdiaphragms are now more universally employed than any other, because thequality of tone is found to be better with glass than with othermaterial; but it is universally found in practice that whenever adifferent diaphragm is placed in the reproducer or recorder a differenttone results. This difference is probably due to several causes-todifierent thickness and to differences in other physicalcharacteristics.

My invention enables the instrument to be adjusted so as to compensatefor these variations of the diaphragms and consequent variations in thetone, whereby a given operator can produce the same quality of tone fromdifierent glasses or diaphragms having the varying characteristics asspecified.

The features of my invention will be more fully set forth in thedescription of the accompanying drawings,-forming a part of thisspecification, in which Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of myimprovement. Fig. 2 is a section on line a; at, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is amodification of the styluslever and attachments.

In the accompanying drawings the figures are slightly enlarged forbetter representing the parts.

A represents the ordinary reprod ucer-cu p; B, the clamping-ring forsecuring the same; 0, the tube-plate; D, the diaphragm; E E, the gasketswhich are placed upon each side of the glass, so as to cushion the same.

(t represents the link, which connects the diaphragm with thestylus-lever G. H represents a plate hinged to the cup A. I representsthe limiting weight screw, which passes through the slot 1) in the plateH, so as to limit the downward movement of the Weighted plate. Theseparts, except the stylus-lever, are of the ordinary construction.

The stylus-lever is provided with a longitudinal slot 0, (shown in Figs;2 and 3,) through which the fulcrum d passes. This slot is provided forthe purpose of adjusting the stylus-lever longitudinally on its centerto compensate for the varying thickness or quality of the diaphragm. Inthe preferred form of construction shown in Fig. 2 the following devicesare provided for the purpose of enabling this adjustment to be readilymade by the operator when the phonograph is in position for use.

J represents a rockshaft which is supported on gimbal-point centerscrews K K, so that a sensitive movement thereof may be obtained.

L represents a link connected to the screw J tapping through the leverJ. Said link is hooked into the stylus-lever G, forming a jointedconnection.

j represents the head of the screw J for turning the screw out or in, soas to move the stylus-lever G on its fulcrum, and thereby adjust it tothe required position to suit the quality of the diaphragm employed.

It will be remembered that the stylus-point has but a very small motiondue to the recording or reproducing sound-waves. There is also avertical movement of the limitingweight to accommodate the instrument tothe inequalities of the record or cylinder. Owing to the slight movementof the stylus for making or receiving impressions, the connectionbetween the adj usting-screw and the stylus-lever must be very delicate,so as not to interfere with the free movement of the same.

.In Fig. 3 I have shown a modified form of making a connection betweenthe adjustingscrew and the stylus-lever, which consists of a thinelastic or flexible plate or wire M, the ends of which are secured tothe lever and screw-shank. It is sufficiently long between theattaching-points, however, to flex readily under the slightestvibrations of the diaphragm. In this construction it will be seen that asingle fixed post N is all that is required, as the flexing of theconnecting-plates M is suificiently delicate to allow the free movementof the stylus-lever and yet hold it in place. This construction obviatesthe necessity of the rock-leverJ. (Shown in Fig. 2.) I have shown thesetwo forms simply to illustrate the fact that Variations may be made inthe means for shifting the relative positions of the fulcrum and lever.I do not wish to limit myself to the specific forms herein shown ordescribed.

It will be observed that in the preferred form I have shown theadjusting mechanism, while adapted to vary the leverage of the stylus,is entirely flexible in the direction to and from the diaphragm andsubstantially rigid or unyielding in the direction of adjustment, thetension being sufficient in degree to prevent such shifting of the leveron the fulcrum when the device is in operation as would make anypractical variation in the results produced.

I have discovered that different diaph ragms 1 applied to the samereproducer produce different tones, due to the varying physicalcharacteristics of the respective diaphragms, and that by shifting theposition of the fulcrum relative to the stylus to lengthen o'r' shortenthe leverage these physical differences in the diaphragms may becompensated for, so that all may be made to produce a standard tone, orthe tones may be varied Within given limits to suit the ear of the operator.

a fulcrum, a stylus-lever provided with a slotted bearing for thefulcrum, and adjusting means attached to the free end of the stylusadapted to hold the stylus to its position of adjustment, but permittingfree pivotal movement in the direction of the diaphragm, substantiallyas specified.

5. In a phonograph reproducer or recorder, afulcrum, a stylus-leverprovided with means for shifting the fulcrum position, flexible in thedirection of the diaphragm'and substantially rigid in the direction ofadjustment, substantially as specified.

6. In a phonograph reproducer or recorder, a fulcrum, a stylus -lever,and means for shifting the fulcrum position of the styluslever, saidmeans being flexible in the direction of the diaphragm, substantially asspeci- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES W. NOYES. WVitnesses:

OLIVER B. KAISER, PEARL MOMIOHAEL.

